Holder for train-signal flags.



B. WILLHIDE.

HOLDER FOR TRAIN SIGNAL FLAGS. APPLICATION FILED SEPT.10, 190a.

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BRUCE WILLl-IIDE, OF GRAFTON, WEST VIRGINIA.

HOLDER FOR TRAIN-SIGNAL FLAGS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 20, 1909.

Application filed. September 10, 1908. Serial No. 452,399.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Barron IVILLUIDE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grafton, in the county of Taylor and State of West Virginia, have invented a new and useful Holder for Train-Signal Flags, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to holders for train signal flags and has for its object to provide a simple, economical, and secure support or holder for metal signal flags, designed to be fastened to a bracket on a locomotive, tender, passenger car, or caboose, there to remain indefinitely, and provided with means at its upper end for the temporary attachmentof a sheet metal flag and for holding it immovable against the pressure of air produced by the rapid movement of a train.

With this object in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combina tion and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is an elevation of the flag holder carrying a sheet metal flag; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same, enlarged Fig. 3, an elevation of the holder without the flag; Fig. 4 a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a slight change in the manner of holding the flag; Fig.5, a top plan view of Fig. 4, enlarged.

Similar reference characters are used for the same parts in all the figures.

In the drawing, 1 indicates the holder and 2 the sheet metal flag carried thereby. The holder is preferably made in tubular form for the sake of stren 'th and lightness and economy, and of sue length and diameter as the service requires. The lower end of the holder 1 is screw-threaded for a short distance to receive two nuts 3 and 4, by means of which the standard is fastened to a bracket, not shown, mounted on the vehicle. A straight slot 5 is made in the upper end of the holder 1 and extends downwardly from said end for a suitable distance. A like slot 5 may also be made in the opposite side of the holder. A short distance below the slots 5 and 5, a pin 6 extends through the holder perpendicular to a plane passing through the two slots and is secured thereto, the ends of said pin projecting a short distance beyond the sides of the holder.

The flag 2 is of the usual size and shape and provided at one lateral edge with a cylindrical fold or bead 7, preferably integral with the flag 2, the exterior diameter of which is the same or slightly less than the inner diameter of the tubular holder 1, thus enabling the fold or bead to slide in and out of the holder. After the fold or bead 7 has been formed the metal strip 8 remaining is bent so as to lie against the side of the flag and riveted thereto, thus stiffening the flag at an important point.

In forming the cylindrical bead 7 I cmploy a portion only of the edge of the flag, the lower portion of the edge being bent sharply backward upon the body of the flag to form a reinforcing strip 9. The cylindrical head 7 is thus shortened so that the flag may readily be removed from the holder, a cylindrical bead extending entirely across the flag having been found diflicult to place upon and remove from the member 1.

When the holder 1 is in place, it is so disposed that the slots 5 and 5 are at the sides of the holder and the pin 6 extends in the direction of travel of the train. To place a flag 2 in position, the fold or head 7 is inserted in the top of the holder with the flag projecting outwardly through one of the slots 5 or 5 The flag is then pushed downwardly until the bottoms of the strip 8 and the slot abut. The flag is prevented from swinging by passing through one of the notches which serves as a stop, additional strength being given by the strip 8 to resist the pressure of the air. The flag 2 differs from the flag 2 by the larger diameter of the fold or bead 7 which is made to fit the exterior diameter of the support, and oppositely disposed slots 10, but one of which is shown, in the bottom of said bead which engage with the pin 6 to prevent rotation of the flag.

hat is claimed is 1. In a device of the class described, a sheet metal flag having one of its edges bent to form a cylindrical bead, the terminal of the bead being disposed parallel to the body of the flag and being attached thereto; and a tubular holder arranged to inclose the bead of the flag and having in its top a longitudi nal slot arranged to receive the body of the flag and the terminal of the head.

2. In a device of the class described, a sheet metal flag having the upper portion of one of its edges bent to form a cylindrical bead, the terminal of the bead being disposed parallel to the body of the flag and being attached thereto, the lower portion of I my own, I have hereto affixed my signature the said edge being bent sharply upon the i in the presence of two Witnesses.

body of the flag; and a holder arranged to BRUGE VVILLHIDE receive said bead and being provided with 3 means for supporting said flag and for pre- Vvitnesses:

venting its rotation in the holder. H. DENT,

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as 1 W. R. D. DENT. 

